Gary McErlain, Chair of the Lough Neagh Partnership, and seventh generation fisherman, has welcomed the funding package for Lough Neagh eel fishermen which was announced by DAERA last week and which will be distributed over the next three years.

Describing the investment of £700,000 as much needed, Gary McErlain said: “As a commercial Lough Neagh eel fisherman, I welcome the announcement of this much needed funding which I understand forms part of a wider package developed between the Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Cooperative and DAERA officials, with the various elements intended to work together to support the future of the fishery and Lough Neagh.”

Lough Neagh Partnership

The package includes support directly for the eel fishermen, a cap on the permitted catch of silver eels to be caught through the Cooperative, ongoing collaboration between the eel fishermen and DAERA for scientific testing of brown eels during the current environmental situation on the Lough, and continued collaboration between the Cooperative and government officials around elver recruitment into Lough Neagh.

“Taken together, it is an overall package, and all in all it is positive news for the Lough shore and for those communities whose livelihoods are connected to Lough Neagh” added Gary, who also said that Lough Neagh Partnership recognises that this financial support package only goes some way towards helping the Lough Neagh eel fishing community, which remains under significant financial strain.

Gary stressed: “The funding should be viewed as a mitigation measure rather than an overall financial solution, while highlighting the serious concern posed by ongoing pollution in Lough Neagh and the need for this issue to be addressed as part of efforts to protect the future of the fishing industry.”

Lough Neagh Partnership exists to protect and manage Lough Neagh.